How to Make the Most of Your Apartment Balcony
The Appeal of Small Spaces
Using your apartment balcony as a getaway or an additional room makes sense. It takes planning, but the materials are usually inexpensive and removable. Dreaming up your decor is half the fun! Making it happen brings opportunities for enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment.
What do you want most when you think about your balcony? A small office? A garden? A retreat on sunny afternoons? Once you’ve decided that, then the rest falls into place. Browsing online provides thousands of examples for decor and DIY projects. Ask questions at your local hardware store for more guidance. You can jump in and make this a weekend project. You can stretch it out over several weeks.
Weather, Views, and Dreams
Here are some essential questions to consider:
- Does the balcony get lots of sun, wind, or water?
- How much time do you want to spend enjoying your balcony?
- What’s your style? Do you want a beach house, an herbal garden, a breakfast nook, or a romantic hideaway?
- How can you incorporate the view- or cover it up- to meet your needs?
- Do you want lots of colors, multi-use furniture, or a zen spot for yoga?
Practical Tips
Flooring: The concrete can be covered with paint, interlocking flooring, rugs, or anything that appeals to you. If you intend to leave it out there, secure objects in ways that won’t interfere with removing it later. Plan for storage during seasons of inclement weather.
Walls: You can grow plants to create a vibrant rainforest effect, or you can place wooden frames. Hang curtains or other cloth for privacy. Hang artwork, potted flowers, or your fresh herb and spice collection for your culinary arts.
Furniture: Rattan is hardy for weather conditions. Use hardy throw pillows, chairs, and shades that can survive many kinds of weather. Choose intimate, minimalist seating with a small bistro table, or go maximalist with layers of fabric and a wash of colors.
Details: lighting, artwork, and colors, make this your special place on Earth. For immediate inspiration for your apartment balcony decor, check out online ideas, and note the ones you like best.
Best Moving Companies in NYC
Moving companies have become a large part of American culture in recent years. In the past, people would rely on friends and family to gather and assist with moving; however, in today’s society, people are often moving longer distances and may not have an extensive support network to help them move. A lot of people that are looking for great job opportunities in New York will relocate and need a New York City moving company to assist with the move. The following provides details on several of the best moving companies in New York City.
Sweet Lou Moves You
For many of the moving companies in New York City, it is going to come down to the reviews that are posted online. One of the more well-known moving companies in New York is called Sweet Lou Moves You. The reviews on websites like Yelp have shown that this is a moving company that has a lot of positive reviews. It has been in business for a decade, and customers like the fact that there are no hidden fees. The movers are prompt and fast. They have a solid reputation for moving items with care.
Man With A Van Moving & Delivery
This is another company in New York that is going to be able to help those that are ready to make the big move. Man With a Van Moving & Delivery has that managed to receive stellar reviews for people that require moving services. This is a company that can provide moving services that can get customers moved quickly from one location to another. This company has been reviewed as fast by many, and they are also known for their professionalism. This has made the company stand out in the New York City area.
Piece Of Cake Moving and Storage
New York has a lot of options for the constant influx of new people that are moving to the city. People that may be moving to New York on a budget should consider the budget-friendly moving solution that is provided by Piece Of Cake Moving and Storage. They have the benefit of many good reviews from previous satisfied customers. This company goes a little beyond the typical moving company because it also offers storage options as well.
What Is Title Insurance and Is It Necessary?
Most people know about homeowners’ insurance, but some may not know that title insurance is also an option. Title insurance gives homeowners an extra layer of protection in the event there are issues with the property.
What is Title Insurance?
When any property is sold or bought, including a single-family home, apartment, or commercial property, the record is then stored in a public archive. Any event that can affect the ownership of the property, like issues with zoning or other types of liens, may also be archived and become part of the title.
Who Needs Title Insurance?
When title insurance is purchased, the title company then performs a search to look for records attached with ownership of the property. These can include the deed, taxes, and even court records to verify who owns the property.
If there are any issues with the transfer of title, having a policy in effect can help both the buyer and seller avoid serious financial repercussions. This can be extremely important if someone comes forward laying claim to the property. Title insurance will pay the policyholder when there’s something wrong with the title. Some of the most common forms of title claims include:
- Liens
- Fraud
- Unknown heirs
- Public record errors
Whether someone needs title insurance coverage depends on many things. While it can be useful to have if issues are discovered with the title’s record, it may not be worth it if the property is very old. The actual cost of title insurance will depend on the type of policy and the location of the property.
Usually, title insurance can cost approximately $1,000. Again, it will depend on how much the property costs and where it’s located. If there’s any risk of being sued, then purchasing title insurance might be a good idea.
The Takeaway
Buying real estate is a considerable investment of both time and money. As such, it’s never a bad idea to have coverage in case something goes awry. While not every home requires extra title insurance, many do. If in doubt, invest in the help of a licensed insurance broker who can explain in detail whether buying a policy is the right thing to do.
About Avraham Glattman
Avraham Glattman is the owner of First American Properties Group, a real estate business based in New York City, New York.
Avraham brings over 26 years of experience working as a real estate agent in the city, where he continues to work today. He graduated from Newport University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management and remained at the university to attain his Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.). After graduation, he jumped straight into the real estate field in 1992 in the greater New York City area. Throughout his career, Avraham has explored listings across the New York area, keeping a detailed account of the locations, pricing and comparable properties in the housing market.
After gaining a wealth of knowledge about the real estate marketing in New York, Avraham Glattman decided to take it a step further by creating First American Properties Group with his longtime business partner, Pete Jacov in 2008. First American Properties is a real estate and development company that services the five boroughs of New York. The company currently owns residential and commercial properties in Queens, Downtown Brooklyn, Harlem, and Manhattan. The company focuses on monitoring the growth and development in different areas of the city, so they can work to establish more patterns of growth and help revitalize the area.
While monitoring the different areas of New York City, Avraham Glattman consistently keeps an eye out on up-and-coming neighborhoods that he could potentially invest in. For example, after seeing Harlem, Avraham was immediately impressed by the neighborhood’s charm, leading him to invest in properties in the area. With a convenient location next to the subway and charming business like music venues in the area, it was not hard to see what attracted Avraham to the area.
Today, Avraham Glattman continues to find new investments with First American Properties Group, alongside his business partner, Pete Jacov. Together, they are working towards the goals that they set for First American Properties Group. The goals include acquiring property in the Harlem area to renovate and sell, as well as acquiring properties in all five boroughs.
Avraham Glattman is also the proud owner of 1927 Café Bar Popularr. Located in Harlem, the café serves a variety of open-faced Mediterranean sandwiches, called ‘Toastics’, and many types of coffee. Café Bar Popularr is proud of the rich artistic traditions of Harlem, and invites local musicians, authors, and comedians to visit and share their talents with friends.
Avraham was born and raised in Israel, where he went graduated high school. Not long after, he served in the Israeli army for three years, before he was sent to the United States to work with an Israeli newspaper in Brooklyn, NY. Not long after making the move to New York, Avraham met the woman that would become his wife in 1991. Together, they have three children.
In his spare time, Avraham Glattman enjoys spending his time with his wife and three children and loves to explore new parts of New York City. Avraham’s incredible dedication to both his work and family brings him immense happiness and purpose each day.
To learn more about who Avraham Glattman is, visit AvrahamGlattmanNewYork.com.
